Tilburg University Uncharted Waters Van Den Oever, Koen
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Tilburg University Uncharted waters van den Oever, Koen Publication date: 2017 Document Version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Link to publication in Tilburg University Research Portal Citation for published version (APA): van den Oever, K. (2017). Uncharted waters: A behavioral approach to when, why and which organizational changes are adopted. CentER, Center for Economic Research. 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Download date: 29. sep. 2021 Uncharted waters: A behavioral approach to when, why and which organizational changes are adopted Koen van den Oever 28 July 2017 Uncharted waters: A behavioral approach to when, why and which organizational changes are adopted Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor aan Tilburg University op gezag van de rector magnificus, prof. dr. E.H.L. Aarts, in het openbaar te verdedigen ten overstaan van een door het college voor promoties aangewezen commissie in de aula van de Universiteit op vrijdag 6 oktober 2017 om 10.00 uur door Kornelis Franciscus van den Oever geboren te Maasdriel Promotiecommissie: Promotor: prof. dr. X.Y.F. Martin Copromotor: dr. N.Y. Ates Promotiecommissie: prof. dr. K.A. Schnatterly prof. dr. M.T.H. Meeus prof. dr. N.G. Noorderhaven dr. G. van der Laan Acknowledgements Stephen King (2000) has a clear demonstration of what it takes to write in “On Writing”. He starts his advice by telling an anecdote of when he helps his uncle replace a broken screen. Instead of bringing the only tool that is necessary for the job, his uncle asks Stephen to bring the toolbox with him. When Stephen asks him why he had to bring the entire toolbox, his uncle replies “I didn’t know what else I might find to do once I got out here, did I? It’s best to have your tools with you. If you don’t, you’re apt to find something you didn’t expect and get discouraged.” (King, 2000: 114). Thus, King concludes, “To write to the best of your abilities, you have to construct your own toolbox and then build up enough muscle so you can carry it with you. Then, instead of looking at a hard job and getting discouraged, you will perhaps seize the correct tool and get immediately to work.” (King, 2000: 114) Xavier Martin, you showed me this toolbox. You showed me its endless, ever- expanding layers, the tools that are in there and how to use them. I understand I shocked you by dropping the bomb of “not pursuing a research-oriented career in academia”, but your efforts are not in vain. This toolbox can be applied elsewhere as well. I’ll have to carry it in different areas now. But who knows, perhaps I someday will return with an even more complete toolbox. Nüfer Ates, you showed me other parts of the toolbox. Just as important, you motivated me to continue to carry it around and to look into it further. Thanks for the refreshing supervision you gave me! I would also like to thank the members of my doctoral committee: Karen Schnatterly, Marius Meeus, Niels Noorderhaven, and Gerwin van der Laan. I would like to thank you very much for your comments as this has helped push the quality of the dissertation forward, and it has also helped me develop personally. I would also like to formally thank the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) for their gracious (financial) support. Aswin van Oijen and John Bell, I had the pleasure of being teamed up with you for the course Strategic Consultancy. I was skeptic at first. “Do you really believe the students will come to the High Tech Campus to do this?” You showed me that (at least some) students’ curiosity, ambition, and potential cannot be overestimated. Renée van Poppel and Joyce Kox are excellent examples of this (sorry, Renée and Joyce, you will have to wait a bit longer, I’ll get back to you in a few). Aswin, being there when you were presenting your teaching ideas per your nomination of Teacher of the Year award was invigorating and you have definitely set a standard I can only dream of attaining someday. Getting the TiSEM teaching innovation award with you and John was terrific and my thanks to teach with you are eternal. Which can bring me to only one other person, Bart Vos. It was great working with you Bart. It’s says enough about how much you can learn from a person “when someone has more letters in their titles than their original name” (weirdly one of the first things I remember you saying, which was in a class on Purchasing Management). Your jokes (were they?) created an excellent working atmosphere (at least for me). Which then brings me to the person I may know longest in the department, Bert Meijboom. Same as John, Bart and Aswin, you taught me a great deal on teaching, especially in large groups. I really appreciate your confidence in my abilities and the opportunities you gave me throughout. But above all, I want to thank you for being the person you are. For me, you are the soul of the department. I cherish the fact that I was there when you were declared professor by special appointment. “Check your email,” you said with a stern face and you – literally – ran away. I got out of my office to see what was happening and I was shocked to see your name tag removed from your door. He is leaving? I thought, but then I got the great news in my email box. I think I can write a full paper on my positive experiences with you, but in short – thank you! Roland Levering (I wouldn’t dare to get your name wrong). Why, oh, why did I volunteer to share an office with you. The plants, yes, the answer may lay in the plants. No, jokes aside (which is a huge pile), it was a pleasure sharing an office with you. Little that you know, mayhap the dissertation would not have been finished if wouldn’t have joined you in your office (or, it would have been finished years ago). Seriously, I should stop the jokes and get to a proper acknowledgement here. So here you go: thank you! (Sorry I can’t put a gif in here!) I would also like to thank others in the department (faculty and extramural fellows) for their collegiality and help along the way, including Astrid Kramer, Karin Thomas, Vincent Peters, Jean-Malik Dumas, Marjan Groen, James Small, Ton Appels, Ruud Hendrickx, Cindy Kuijpers, Shivaram Devarakonda, Zilin He, Joeri van Hugten, Elena Golovko, Jean-Francois Hennart, Adam Tatarynowicz, Jeroen Kuilman, Louis Mulotte, Fons Naus, Niels Noorderhaven, Tal Simons, Peter Snoeren, Alma Timmers, Feng Fang, Roland van de Kerkhof, Mathijs Verhulst, Jacob Derks, Yasir Dewan, Joshua Eckblad, Tao Han, Stephanie Koornneef, Mohammad Nasiri, and Xolani Nghona. Some may now feel forgotten, but worry not, you deserve special attention. Joyce Kox, it was great to have had you as a student and to see you grow to become a lecturer. I am sure you have a bright future ahead. Miranda Stienstra, it was nice to share with you the joys and sorrows affiliated with pursuing a Ph.D. Vilma Chila, that counts for you as well! Ruud Sneep, you are a brilliant and kind person. I have enjoyed our conversations, above all else our experience at the other side of the world in Vancouver. I greatly appreciate all your help, which you continue to provide. This brings me to Richard Haans, who was there as well. Richard, I wouldn’t say you are similar to Ruud, but you are brilliant and kind as well. You are a role model for research master and Ph.D. students. You too, have left your mark on this dissertation. You too, have shown me the toolbox. It’s impressive that you were able to do that, and I am sure you will develop into a great scholar. Not only my mentors, teachers and colleagues deserve gratitude. Also my students have taught and helped me along the way. Joyce, I have mentioned you before. With some of my sketchy feedback in Strategic Consultancy you were able to show exactly what I meant. Renée, I have kept you waiting long enough now. Although our story continues in essay two, I would like to thank you for your ability to surprise me. Like an eel you chose your own path whilst I provided you with some directions and I am glad you did exactly that. I am sure there is a place for you in academia, but you’ll be a terrific consultant as well. Follow your dreams! I will not mention all the students I have seen throughout the years I taught Operations Management and Strategic Consultancy and supervised on their Bachelor and Master thesis, but your confidence and appreciation of my teaching skills make me a rapturous person.